Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  Good Buy - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By RLMSr - February 15 - 10:00 am

  We just got the car and love the sport appearance package. It looks like an SS without the need for premium fuel and loss of 2 mpg. My kids, one of whom is 59" and growing, both fit comfortably in the back seat. Their hockey and baseball bags fit in the large trunk. Gas mileage thus far has been a lot better than the van the car replaced. The sunroof gets high marks with the kids, but I dont like that it flips up and back rather than into the roof as on other GM cars. The seat-cushion length could be a couple inches longer; I have trouble supporting my thighs without playing with the seat positioning.

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  Outstanding A+ - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Edith Lugo - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 2002 Jeep Liberty Renegade for the Equinox. I saw the Equinox at the car show in Philly and I absolutely fell in love with it. The ride is smooth especially for me, who recently had back surgery. My kids love the leg room. Its an awesome car & stylish looking.

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  Fun SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Sherrie Gerz - February 15 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is absolutely the best! It is fun to drive...the handling & steering are great. Very smooth ride. GREAT value for the money.

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  2005 Chevrolet Equinox - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By specster - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Styling is really great as is the ride. Vehicle was replacement for Chevy Tracker, but it really can also be a great replacement for the old Blazer. If you want to save a couple gallons, it could also be an alternative to the Trailblazer/Envoy. Vehicle looks and performs better than all other vehicles we looked at, Asian and American, and it was roomiest in group.

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  1 test drive did it. - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Urba - February 15 - 10:00 am

  and I trade in a 2003 car I got only two before test driving the Equinox, we were had no intention of buying a new car until we test drove the Equinox, it is great and we enjoy every minute that we are in it, the price was great too.

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  A Well Designed SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Gkm1973 - February 15 - 10:00 am

  After Buying a first year vehicle i was skeptical about it, but once i got behind the wheel it drive those thoughts out the window. The car felt tight and smooth, and interior room was very comfortable. Definately happy with this purchase.

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  Smooth, strong and efficient - 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By floridamadman - February 15 - 7:50 am

  5.3 litre runs with anything on the highway, and on open road have gotten 20 mpg Im not a tire smoker, but at 35mph...hang on! There is no other p/u that cruises as effortlessly or efficiently at highway speeds as this with the 3.42 gears.

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  SILVERADO 1500 4WD - THE BEST!! - 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By gary - February 13 - 5:30 pm

  Excellent 1/2 ton pick-up. Still strong enough to be called a truck....need I say more. If folks are looking for a vehicle that is basically a cadillac with a pick up box.... then maybe someone should design such a vehicle for them. Please keep their pampered butts away from our trucks! Thanks for the truck Chevy!!

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  Excellent Car - 2007 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Grandia - February 13 - 3:15 pm

  The ride is very smooth. It is a real SUV, not like some car based crossovers. Engine is just right, fast acceleration. The interior is improved a lot comparing to previous Equinox.

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  DuraMax Makes The Grade - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
  By rmahany - February 13 - 10:00 am

  This truck has the power! Power to perform the work (towing & haouling), and power to play. Cant believe a 6700 lb truck drives like a corvette. It is easy to increase the base 300hp to over 90 rwhp with as little as an $800 module and 5 minutes of time. Never knew that diesel motors were so easy to make horsepower. Smoth firm ride. Great highway ride. Gas milage is out of this world with 17-20 mpg depending on driving habits and type driving. GM has a winner! Ive no problems outside of a leak in the windshield and the inside passenger door lock coming loose. These were fixed under warranty without incident.